With the start of the new Championship season fast approaching, Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton still has plenty of work to do rebuilding his squad.
The Reds have just over a week until they make the short trip to Coventry City on August 8 to begin their 2021/22 campaign (4.30pm kick-off), but they continue to be frustrated in the transfer market.
Hughton has made just one addition to his squad so far, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.
But another position that is near the top of his list of priorities due to lack of depth is right-back.
Forest have just one senior player likely to feature in the position, Jordan Gabriel. That's because Carl Jenkinson is one of three players included in Forest's bomb squad after reportedly being told to find a new club.
Gabriel has given a good account of himself during the Reds' pre-season fixtures, but if the 22-year-old was to pick up an injury then Forest would be in trouble.
And having spent last season with Blackpool in League One, being a regular for Forest in the second tier may be beyond his capabilities just yet.
With that in mind, NottinghamshireLive has taken a look at four right-back options Forest could sign for free...
Niall Mason - Previous club Peterborough United, League One
Mason was released by Peterborough at the end of last season, despite making 51 appearances as the Posh won promotion to the Championship.
The right-footed full-back can operate on either side of the central defenders but is predominantly a right-back.
During his 32 starts with Posh, he provided two goals and two assists.
And with 36 career appearances as a left-back, he could provide additional cover on the opposite flank too.
Nathaniel Clyne - Previous club Crystal Palace, Premier League
The addition of Premier League veteran Clyne would be quite the coup for Forest.
The 30-year-old has made nearly 200 top-flight appearances for Southampton, Liverpool and Crystal Palace, but found playing time limited at Selhurst Park last season.
He was only able to contribute one assist from 14 appearances before being released at the end of the season.
Clyne has been spotted training with the Eagles in pre-season, raising speculation that new boss Patrick Viera could offer him new terms.
His wages would probably be well outside Forest range, but you have to buy a ticket to win the lottery.
Andre Wisdom - Previous club Derby County, Championship
It would require a change of heart given he remains on trial with the Rams, but Wisdom is yet to put pen to paper on a new contract.
As such, the 28-year-old remains a free agent despite featuring for the Rams in pre-season.
County continue to face financial difficulties and remain subject to an EFL transfer embargo.
The Rams can sign free agents on one-year contracts, and loanees on six-month deals, but with strict salary caps.
So Forest probably could persuade Wisdom his future was at the City Ground if they wanted to.
And with the Reds already having been linked with Rams left-back Lee Buchanan, it would be quite a blow for Derby to lose both full-backs to their arch rivals.
Eric Lichaj - Previous club Karagumurk, Turkish Super Lig
Former Forest man Eric Lichaj has recently been spotted with the Reds, suggesting a role at the City Ground may be on the cards.
However, the 32-year-old American has also been on the radar of League One side Sunderland.
Lichaj has been looking for a new club since being released by Turkish side Karagumurk at the end of last season, and was pictured in the dug-out during a Forest under-23s friendly at Basford Town.
The former Aston Villa defender joined Forest in June 2013 and established himself as a popular player at the City Ground.
Any return to Forest would most likely come as a move into coaching, but could also see him arrive as a player-coach to provide support behind the young Gabriel.
